The name has at least two etymologies. It has been referred to as Digital Versatile Disc and Digital Video Disc. A third offering is simply DVD with no specific designation for the initials.

You Say SD; I Say MMCD

In the earlier part of the 1990s, an upgraded format was being researched, one that would hold a lot of data, even more than the VCD, or Video CD. Several interested parties were backing the development including Sony, Philips, Toshiba, Hitachi, Time-Warner and others. The search for high density optical storage standards was underway and two models were finally developed. One was the MMCD, or MultiMedia Compact Disc; the other was the SD, or Super High Density Disc. Sony & Philips backed the MMCD while Time-Warner, Toshiba, JVC, Pioneer, Matsushita Electric, Thomson and Mitsubishi Electric backed the SD.

A Compromise is Sought

Representatives of the SD group asked IBM for format support and advice in structuring their file system. A researcher, Alan Bell, received the request. Alan was also aware of the alternative MMCD system being developed. Not wanting a repetition of the disastrous VHS/Betamax war, Bell asked for a group discussion that included representatives from Microsoft, Dell, Apple, Sun Microsystems and many others. This elite amalgamation of computer industry experts became known as TWG, or the Technical Working Group.

It was decided that Lou Gerstner, IBM’s president, would try to convince the SD and MMCD development groups to come together. TWG also was eager to avoid a situation similar to the VHS/Betamax war that occurred in the 1980s. In the interim, TWG decided they would boycott both format technologies unless a compromise was agreed upon by the two camps. In addition, TWG also cooperated with OSTA, the Optical Storage Technology Association, for the implementation and use of their Universal Disc Format file system.

The Impasse Has Passed

Sony and Philips realized it was to their benefit to adopt the Super Density Disc and include technologies from both the SD and MMCD groups. While the specs were similar to Matsushita’s and Toshiba’s, the dual-layer option and EFMPlus modulation came from the MMCD technology. EFMPlus technology was agreed upon because it was more forgiving of fingerprints and scratches.

The evolved format was initially introduced to the Japanese market by Toshiba in November 1996. In March 1997, it was test marketed in the United States. In October 1997, it was brought to Europe and, in February 1999, it was marketed in Australia.

The VHS and the Dodo

By 2003, Rentals and sales of DVDs surpassed those of VHS. In 2002, Circuit City had already ceased selling VHS format. In 2003, Best Buy followed suit and discontinued selling the VHS format. In 2005, retailers like Wal-Mart and others announced that they would be phasing out the VHS format entirely. The DVD had caught on and was the format of choice. The VHS format had essentially gone the way of the Dodo.

Currently, the DVD clearly dominates the landscape. Its ability to perform while withstanding mild abuse is its endearing quality.

If you’re the manager of an organization, you know how hectic life in charge can get. Whether you are an assistant manager or a general manager, you know that each day is a flurry of activity — with meetings to run, complaints to hear, reports to run, and — last but certainly not least — employees to manage. How can you possibly get it all done?
The role of the business manager is now increasing. In the workplace, she not only has a managerial role with her staff, but she is also expected to be the go-to person for legal, payroll, media, and all other sorts of questions. Luckily, as the role of today’s business manager has expanded, so has the capabilities of modern business software. There are now many business management applications that can help business managers stay on top of everything they do. These software programs range from payroll programs to programs designed to help you keep a list and stay committed to productivity.Payroll/Accounting/Employee Attendance Programs
Businesses who are not using software to manage all their operations — payroll, accounting, employee attendance and other employee relations — are behind the times. Programs make entering, recalling, and generating reports of this information much easier than doing it all by hand. These programs not only assist business managers in handling all of the work that they must complete each day, but they also help to control for human error and they make saving records easier, so when they are asked to show their information, they can do so easily.Benefits Tracking Applications
Business managers must keep track of employee attendance, vacation days, PTO, and insurance premiums and co-pays. By using applications to track employee benefits, business managers can easily keep track information related to benefits. This means that business managers can be better prepared to make decisions about benefits for individual employees. This kind of data can also help business managers make wide-scale decisions regarding benefits policy.Scheduling/Organizing Programs
Business managers have many tasks they must complete each day. Scheduling programs make it easier for business managers to ensure they make all their appointments and finish everything on time. With scheduling programs and the mobile applications available for them, business managers can have their schedules and task lists with them on the go.
These types of programs are very beneficial for business managers, helping them to be able to handle all of their tasks. When business managers use computer programs on desktops or mobile applications, they can ensure they know what is going on with their employees and their consumers. Thanks to these applications, business managers have the ability to spend more time focusing on how to make their businesses better and their employees happier. Many computer applications for business managers are very cost effective — and most come with trainers or training documents that can make learning how to use them much easier. Using applications requires little investment and yields a great deal of benefits.

Congratulations! You have built the brand of your business up to a point where it is recognized and respected throughout your industry. Your products and services are being purchased by enough people to keep your business going, and your customer base is loyal. Moreover, you have identified exactly who they are and you know how to service them in the present and keep up with their trends in the future.

Even though you have done all this work to bring your business into a level of security, you realize that keeping your business secure this way takes work as well. You have to spend all of your time in this customer management, and your business management sometimes does not receive the attention that it deserves as well.

All of the paperwork, the taxes, the bills and basically everything that takes away from the fun of actually marketing and selling your product to customers is taking your time away from growing your business. Maintain your current customer base and keeping up with the paperwork on that is taking all day.

It is time to outsource your business management so that you can focus on your current customer management and growing your business.

Outsourcing all the non-fun stuff to a third-party will keep you focused on what you started your business to do – improve the lives of your customers through your product. Your business management team will be able to not only take off some of the pressure, but also introduce you to many products that will increase the efficiency of the process is that you cannot outsource.

For instance, Simply Accounting Training should be on the top of your list. If you want to keep certain parts of your finances private, then Simply Accounting training is the training that you should undergo. It has been praised as one of the simplest plug-and-play accounting programs for small and medium-size businesses, and can keep your focus on the customer without losing any of the necessary documentation for your business.

There are many other software that can give you an increased efficiency and streamline the process for your business management. However, you should endeavor to outsource as much as you possibly can to a third-party business management group that has your best interests at heart.

You can tell if a business management partner will work well with you if they understand your industry. They will also not attempt to take a great deal of fees up front, but will partner with you to decrease your liabilities first. You will also be able to trust them with proprietary records without any sort of fear.

You can easily check on the credentials of a business management partner by going on the Internet. There are many websites that are dedicated solely to this purpose. Make sure that you also have one of your staff check the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for their assessment of any business management company that you may be looking to do business with.